Coupling pin



Patented Feb. 17, 1948 Fr F n Gene a ncwharles Fuhren II nipndale Ind Applicatidn February 25, 1941 Serial No..3fl,658

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in coupling pins and more particularly to a gravity locking coupling pin.

The primary feature of the present invention is to provide a coupling pin that is pivotally Connected ab one end to a latch frame so that when the latch frame is swung outwardly I:he pin may be conveniently inserted in position and said pin being in position the latch frame is swung down Ward]y so that the lower free end of the pin will ride over and behind a spring c1ip carried by the latch for locking the latch frame anal pin in position.

Another important feature of the present invention is to provide a coupling pin that is streng and durable, easily applied in position and removed from its secured positin in a minimum of time with Very 1itt1e efiort.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide a coupling pin of the character referred to that is simple and practical in construction, efi"1cient and reliable in operation, relatively inexpensive 130 manufacture and otherwise well adapoed for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and 0Deration as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had 120 the accompanying dravvings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a sicle elevational view of the improved coupling pin locked in position to itS latch frame;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the upper end cf the pin;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken 011 the 1ine 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a side elevational view showing the locking pin in position and With the latch frame swung outwardly to release the pin.

Referring new to the drawing in detai1, wherein for the purpose of illustration w e have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral 5 represents an elongated cylindrica] coupling pin having an integral fiange 6 near its upper end.

The head end I of said pin is bifurcated to receive one end 8 cf a substantially U-shaped latch frame 9 and a pin 01 the like III pivotally connects the head I o-f the pin to the upper end 8 of the 1atch fra.me.

A resilient spring catch designated generally by the numeral II has one end. secured by rivets or the like I2 to the lower end I3 of frame 9 and the free end I4 of said catch extends slightly upwardly from end I3 and slightly above the lower end of pin 5 which is spaced upwardly from and 0Ver1ies end I3 as shown-in Figure 1 of the drawing.

Extending outwardly from each side of end I4 of the spring catch II are a pair of integral tongues I5 which extend past the side of the pin, and said free end I 4 is curved inwardly as at I6 to seat against the pin and provide means for preventing the lower end cf the frame from swinging outwardly without first applying a downward pressure on said free end of the spring.

In Operation of the device the pin 5 is held vertically and inserted downwardly into position between the yoke I1 of a trailer or the like and a conventional draft or coupling bar I8, said latch frame being swung upwardly to one side as shown in Figure 4.

To lock the pin in position thereto it is on1y necessary to release the lower end I3 of the latch frame I:o gravitate downwardly so that the lower end of the frame rides inwardly until the catch I I passes under the pin. The catch then engages the pin to prevent upward swinging movement of the latch frame and the pin is thus 1ocked against re moval.

T0 remove the pin 5 the free end of the spring II is pressed downwardly and at the same time the lower end of the Patch frame is swung Outwardly from the pin so that the frame can be pulled upwardly causing the pin to be withdrawn from its position in the yoke I I anal the coupling bar I8.

The fiange 6 is adaptecl to bear on the yoke and 1:0 prevent swinging mojaion of the pin Which remains in a vertical position.

In view of the foregoing descriptiou taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a. clear understanding 0f the device will be quite apparent to those skil1ed in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecesx'sary.

It is to be understo0d, however, that even though there is herein shown anti described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A coupling pin of the class described comprising a cylindrical shank having a bifurcated head end, a substantially U-shaped latch frame having one end interposed between the furcations of said head end ancl pivoted thereto for swing- 3 ing movement 01 the frame 4:oward und Irom the shank, the lower free end o1 said frame extending under the 1ower end of the shank and spaced therefrom, and a resilient spring locking catch secured at one end 120 the free end of the frame and its other end spaced upwardly from the said end of the frame, sa.id spring ca.tch being pressed downwardly by the lower end of the shank as the irame is swung tpwar d the shnkfbr lockii'1g said shank to the frame behind the spring.

2. A coupling pin of the dass described comv prislng a cylindrical shank having a bifurcated having one end lnterposed between the furcations 015 said head end and pivoted thereto for swinging movement of the frame toward and from the shank, the lower free end of said frame extendin under the lower end of the shank and spaced therefrom, and a resilient spring locklng catch se cured at one end to the free end of the frame,

m 1 REFERENCES CITED The following references are cf record in the x file of this patent: head end, a substantially U-s1haped latch frame UNITED STATES PATENTS 15 Number Name Date '2224,522 Peterson Dec. 10, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Countr y Date m 532,113 Germany Aug. 25, 1931 

